This journey will take you into the nostalgia of past times and the lively, colorful bustle of today’s Havana. You will see the historical Old City which has been declared a world cultural heritage by UNESCO because of its unique colonial architecture. The tour covers Cuba's tobacco heartland, the province Pinar del Rio and the enchanting Viñales Valley. Amongst the monuments and memorials of the city of Santa Clara, the cult of Ernesto Che Guevara lives on. The charming town of Trinidad with its old colonial buildings, villas and picturesque alleys will enchant you. The mountain region Sierra de Escambray withthe secluded health resort Topes de Collantes offers beautiful trails and waterfalls in the midst of lush nature. You will visit the cities of Sancti Spiritus in the southern part and Remedios in the northern part of Central Cuba. Fine, white sand beaches invite to spend a wonderful day on the nearly virgin island of Cayo Las Brujas at the northern coast.
During summer season (01.05.-31.10.) and the winter season (01.11.-30.04.) the roundtrip commences according to bookings and amount of participantsReservations for "Cuba West"
Day 3 - VALLEY OF VINALES
After breakfast we will head off to the picturesque Viñales Valley, situated in the west of the country. On the way, visit of Pinar del Rio, the capital city of this province where we will also visit a cigar factory and experience themetamorphosis of the tobacco leaves into a cigar.
Continuation of the trip to the Mural de la Prehistoria, a huge wall painting on rock created by a Cuban artist and showing prehistoric paintings. Lunch will be eaten in a restaurant in the Valley of Viñales. There will be an optional visit of the Cueva del Indio: A stalactite cave with an underground river on which the visitors return by boat back to ground level. On the way back to Havana visit of a Casa del Veguero: A drying barn for tobacco plants with an explanation of the cultivation and harvesting of the tobacco leaves (during harvesting period). Stop at the viewpoint Mirador Los Jazmines. Return to Havana. Accommodation and dinner at the hotel.
Day 4 - SANTA CLARA - TOPES DE COLLANTES
After breakfast we will continue our journey to Santa Clara, also known as the city of Che Guevara. During the revolution in 1958 he took over the city and set the seal on Batista’s regime. Many sights are witnesses to Che Guevara’s veneration, who died 1967 in Bolivia. The mausoleum is the place where in 1997 Che Guevara's remains were ceremonially interred. We will take a walk through the city crossing the Plaza de la Revolución Ernesto Che Guevara and visiting the monument of the Tren Blindado. Using original military wagons, the sculptor Jose Delarra re-enacted the scene of the derailment of the train which, initiated by Che Guevara, led to a heavy setback of Batista, the dictator at that time.
Continuation of the journey to the mountain regions and forests of the Sierra de Escambray in the centre of the country. Dinner and accommodation in the health resort Topes de Collantes.
Day 7 - REMEDIOS - CAYO LAS BRUJAS
Breakfast at the hotel. Today a day at the wonderful beaches of Cayo Las Brujas, the “Island of the Witches”, is waiting for you. On the way, we will have a sightseeing tour by bus through the town Remedios where they celebrate Christmas over 3 whole weeks. From the coast we can see the panorama of the Bay of Buena Vista and the archipelago Herradura. Over a dam of about 40 km of length we will reach our destination: The virgin beaches of Cayo Las Brujas which are only visited by a few tourists. The beaches and the warm water promise a wonderful day at the beach! A close-by marina offers for a fee water sports activities like diving and sailing or snorkeling equipment for rental. A delicious maritime meal will be served for lunch. In the afternoon return to Santa Clara. Accommodation and dinner at the hotel.
Day 8 - LAST DAY OF THIS TOUR
After breakfast we will head to Havana via Varadero, well known for its white beaches, smooth sand, and the intensive blue and turquoise colors of the ocean. Upon arrival at Varadero/Havana our roundtrip ends. If you would like to extend your holidays in Varadero or Havana you are welcome to take our free ride to your hotel.
